University of Tartu Journal of International Law and Human Rights
The University of Tartu Journal of International Law and Human Rights is an academic journal that provides a forum for rigorous analysis of key developments in public international law and human rights from global, regional and comparative perspectives, with attention to both law and practice.
All submissions undergo double‑blind peer review in line with international scholarly standards. The journal is edited by students of the University of Tartu and supported by an academic advisory board. While open to all scholarly English‑language articles, it particularly welcomes submissions from students and early‑career researchers worldwide, especially contributions that adopt comparative, interdisciplinary or cross‑regional approaches and engage critically with current challenges to the international legal order.
Distinct from many academic journals, the journal’s primary aim is to provide a platform for students and early‑career researchers to publish their work and to develop skills in academic publishing. Founded on the initiative of students in 2021, it was established as a forum for rigorous, comparative scholarship in international law and human rights, and as a fully student‑organised and student‑managed journal it continues to reflect the vitality, diversity and self‑governing ethos of its editorial team and contributors.
Third issue (autumn 2025) of the University of Tartu Journal of International Law and Human Rights is now available.
In this number:
Merilin Kiviorg Editorial: "Traversing Boundaries in Contemporary International Law and Human Rights"
Lev Tarasyuk "Human dignity as a functional tool for creating new rights? – A comparative analysis based on the example of same-sex marriage legislation"
Sandra Kütt "Criminalising Assisted Suicide: A Comparative Analysis of Legal Approaches in Europe and Canada"
Andrés Tauler Ruiz "Models of surrogacy prohibition in the European Union: Structure and effectiveness"
Arthur Angelidis "The Right to life and accountability for unlawful killings by Autonomous Lethal Weapons: A comparative analysis between the United States, Germany and China"
Ziya Bektashi "Freedom of Expression vs. Hate Speech: A Comparative Analysis of ECtHR (Perinçek v Switzerland) and HRC (Faurisson v France) Jurisprudence"
Jan-Henrik Koch "A comparison of privacy cases involving public figures and (tabloid) newspapers"
Eva Maria Õunapuu "European and Inter-American Courts’ responses to abuse of female journalists: a comparative perspective"
Editor in Chief
Lev Tarasyuk (law student at the University of Osnabrück, Germany & former Erasmus student at the University of Tartu, Estonia)
Editors
Andres Tauler Ruiz (law and business administration student at the University of Valladolid, Spain & former Erasmus student at the University of Tartu, Estonia)
Arthur Marie Angelidis (law student at UCLouvain Saint-Louis Bruxelles, Belgium & former Erasmus student at the University of Tartu, Estonia)
Gregor Pihlak (bachelor of arts in Social Sciences (faculty of law) at the University of Tartu, Estonia; former Erasmus student at the University of Cologne Law, Germany; MA student at the School of Law, University of Tartu, Estonia)
Jan-Henrik Koch (law student at the Goethe University Frankfurt, Germany & former Erasmus student at the University of Tartu, Estonia)
Léa Louise Gérard (law associate's degree at Université Bourgogne Europe, France; bachelor’s law degree at Tallinn University, Estonia; International Law and Human Rights MA student, University of Tartu, Estonia)
Vincent Langer (law student at University of Bayreuth, Germany & former Erasmus student at the University of Tartu, Estonia)
Amrit T. Tamber (Erasmus Mundus Masters Programme in International Law of Global Security, Peace and Development (ILGSPD), University of Glasgow/University of Tartu)
Arunava Banerjee (Erasmus Mundus Masters Programme in International Law of Global Security, Peace and Development (ILGSPD), University of Glasgow/University of Tartu)
Fahim Abid (Erasmus Mundus Masters Programme in International Law of Global Security, Peace and Development (ILGSPD), University of Glasgow/University of Tartu)
Merilin Kiviorg (associate Professor of International Law, University of Tartu)
Lauri Mälksoo (professor of International Law at the University of Tartu, member of the Institut de Droit International, the Venice Commission of the Council of Europe and the Estonian Academy of Sciences)
Julia Laffranque (justice at the Estonian Supreme Court and visiting professor at the University of Tartu and prior judge at the European Court of Human Rights, Deputy Director of the Academy of European Law (ERA), deputy secretary general at the Estonian Ministry of Justice, Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration, presidents of Consultative Council of European Judges and International Federation for European Law)
René Värk (associate Professor of International Law, University of Tartu)
Tiina Pajuste (professor of International Law and Security Studies and Director of the School of Governance, Law and Society at Tallinn University)
Delphine Saint-Martin (bachelor of arts in French law and Common Law at the University of Paris Nanterre, France & master of arts in International Law and Human Rights at the University of Tartu, Estonia)
Structure of the Article
The articles shall follow the following structure:
- Title
- An abstract that can be up to 300 words.
- A table of content
- A structured body of the text (including the introduction and conclusion)
- A bibliography
Submission requirements
File format
The files shall be sent either as a MS Word file or as a Google Docs file. The files shall not be sent in PDF format
Language
The articles shall be written in English
Length
The length of the articles shall be 1500 between 3500 words including footnotes while excluding the cover page and bibliography
Style
The articles shall follow the style of the European Journal of International Law as provided by EJIL’s style sheet.
No plagiarism of any kind will be tolerated!
Previously published issues of the journal can be found below, listed in order of publication.
The first issue (2022)of the University of Tartu Journal of International Law and Human Rights focuses on rights of women and minorities.
In this number:
Editorial by Prof. Merilin Kiviorg
Delphine Saint-Martin "On the evolution of the UN through the
Pacific Island States"
Francesca Akiki "Protection of the Intellectual Property Rights of
Indigenous Peoples"
Elkhan Heydarli "Regulation of legal age for becoming a soldier:
Problematic issues regarding child soldiers"
Valeria Găvoază "Prostitution policies in Romania: Human Rights
issues within neo abolitionism, liberalisation and collaborative
governance frameworks"
Cristina Snegur "Abridged Analysis of The Domestic Violence and
Torture or Ill-treatment Connection Under International Human
Rights Law"
Merle Albrant "COVID-19 impact on victims of violence against
women and their access to services in Estonia in 2020-2021"
Second issue (autumn 2023) of the University of Tartu Journal of International Law and Human Rights is now available. The issue focuses on climate change and human rights.
Read here
In this number:
Delphine Saint-Martin "A Comparison of the Right to Life in the Context of Climate Change"
Rusudan Shashikadze "New Developments in Human Rights-Based Climate Litigation: Case Analysis of Torres Strait Islanders"
Chisom Ngozi Nworgu "Nationally Determined Contributions under The Paris Climate Agreement 2015: Prospects and Pitfalls"
Irini Kaci "Right to Education for Refugees and State Responsibility"
Rashidakhon Tukhtasinova "Discrimination Against Migrant Workers From Post-Soviet States: Factors Causing Migrant Workers' Exploitation in Russian Federation"
Tarazi Mohammed Sheikh "Global Progress and Legal Challenges: The Status of Abortion Rights in International Law"
Johannes Borbe "The Role of the Concept of States Sovereignty in Times Of Global Crisis"
Laçin Idil Öztig "Theorising about Peace: International Lawyers during the Inter-War Period"
Third issue (autumn 2025) of the University of Tartu Journal of International Law and Human Rights is now available.
In this number:
Merilin Kiviorg Editorial: "Traversing Boundaries in Contemporary International Law and Human Rights"
Lev Tarasyuk "Human dignity as a functional tool for creating new rights? – A comparative analysis based on the example of same-sex marriage legislation"
Sandra Kütt "Criminalising Assisted Suicide: A Comparative Analysis of Legal Approaches in Europe and Canada"
Andrés Tauler Ruiz "Models of surrogacy prohibition in the European Union: Structure and effectiveness"
Arthur Angelidis "The Right to life and accountability for unlawful killings by Autonomous Lethal Weapons: A comparative analysis between the United States, Germany and China"
Ziya Bektashi "Freedom of Expression vs. Hate Speech: A Comparative Analysis of ECtHR (Perinçek v Switzerland) and HRC (Faurisson v France) Jurisprudence"
Jan-Henrik Koch "A comparison of privacy cases involving public figures and (tabloid) newspapers"
Eva Maria Õunapuu "European and Inter-American Courts’ responses to abuse of female journalists: a comparative perspective"
